Look how far we've come

Steel Force

Thursday, February 6, 2003 5:51 AM

I was just going through some old books this morning and I came across a 1996 copy of the Guiness book or records. Just for fun I checked out the coaster section and saw the record holder for tallest coaster was Desparado at 205ft. Isn't it amazing that we've more than doubled that in 7 yrs? Oh it also said that Dragon Khan had the record for most inversions at 8. Is this still the world record for inversions?

Peabody

Thursday, February 6, 2003 5:52 AM

Yes we have come a long way! But, that stat is incorrect for Desperado, It's around 225 I think (probably a typo)

The current record for inversions is 10: Colossus at Thorpe Park.------------------- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

Fusion

Friday, February 7, 2003 8:05 AM

Hmm, if i haven't made an error converting imperial to metric, that is impossible. If there would be no resistance from air or the coaster itself, something falling from 214 ft could get to the speed of about 80.5 mph. A coaster train couldn't get near these number.

Edit: Oops, forgot about the Lift-Speed. This could bring the speed to about 80mph. :)*** This post was edited by Fusion 2/7/2003 1:08:24 PM ***

Charles Nungester

Friday, February 7, 2003 8:08 AM

Fusion said:

Charles Nungester said:

SOB 214ft drop and it has been clocked over 80mph.

Hmm, if i haven't made an error converting imperial to metric, that is impossible. If there would be no resistance from air or the coaster itself, something falling from 214 ft could get to the speed of about 80.5 mph. A coaster train couldn't get near these number.

Well the design speed is 78.6mph. The cars are heavier than frist anticipated, It has a rolling start at the drop of about 5-7mph. Re-do your calculations. :)

3r1c

Friday, February 7, 2003 8:18 AM

I have a 1988 Guisness Book of World Records, and it says American Eagle at Marriots Great America is the fastest, and Moonsault Scramble is the tallest. It also amazes me how far coaster designers have come.

Fusion

Friday, February 7, 2003 8:43 AM

There is not much to redo ;) When leaving out the air-resistance again, the speed is just about 5-7 mph higher (in freefall). So it could reach about 85-87 mph in perfect conditions, which would make a speed a bit over 80mph possible in good conditions. :)

Homey G.

Friday, February 7, 2003 9:41 AM

Yes to answer your question, the record for inversions is still held by Dragon Khan. Several coasters (most notably floorlesses with their big swooping inversions) could easily be 8 as well, but it just seems to be a record not many are too worried about.

------------------I'm not an enthusiast, I just play one on message boards.